Georgia Budget and Policy Institute

Did you miss our Budget Primer Town Hall yesterday? You can watch the video here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1332Sbf4ls

Reminder: TODAY is our Budget Primer Town Hall. Join us at 3pm to discuss Georgia's FY2025 State Budget and how it impacts your life and your community! Register here: https://bit.ly/3WLmlnz

Would you like a deeper dive into our 2025 Budget Primer? Join us tomorrow at 3pm to listen to our analysts discuss their research on Georgia's budget, your budget. Register here: https://bit.ly/3WLmlnz. Check out the primer in advance here: https://bit.ly/4fzym7Y

The 2025 Georgia Budget Primer is HERE. As usual, it is your place to find out how the state is spending our dollars this fiscal year. For our 20th anniversary we are also including how some of this spending has changed and shaped GA over 20 years. https://gbpi.org/primer/

This week we are celebrating the ability for Georgia students to once again have AP African American Studies as an option in their education. https://bit.ly/3WBitp0

Our annual budget primer is launching SOON and we would love to discuss all of our findings with you! Sign up for our virtual town hall that will take place next Tuesday at 3pm at our RSVP link here: https://bit.ly/4dcfk5Z
https://bit.ly/4dcfk5Z

Join us in congratulating Ashley Young in her new promotion to Senior Education Analyst. You can read more about Ashley and all of her thoughtful research here: https://gbpi.org/experts/ashley-young/

Over a third of the tax contributions by undocumented immigrants go to services they are barred from using: $25.7 billion in Social Security taxes, $6.4 billion in Medicare taxes, & $1.8 billion in unemployment insurance. Full report ITEP available here: https://bit.ly/3yvwOeq

As of July 1, if you are an employee of a local education agency or the state of Georgia, you have expanded protections to take care of your child and maintain your economic security. Learn more with a fact sheet from the Georgia Coalition on Paid Leave at the link in bio.

Our most recent blog from Ashley Young includes personal stories to student loan deb and repayment, as well as easy-to-understand information on the SAVE plan, what it could do for Georgians, and where it stands today. https://bit.ly/46cS6da

Yesterday marked the first anniversary of the Pathways to Coverage Program, which has not met the critical needs of Georgia's uninsured population. Read our joint statement with Georgians for a Healthy Future at our link in bio.

Today is the first day of the fiscal year, bringing some major pieces of legislation into effect. These changes cost a lot of money, and the flat tax reduction increases inequity as top earners benefit most.
Read our statement: https://gbpi.org/major-tax-bills-take-effect-with-beginning-of-fiscal-year-2025/
More info on flat taxes: https://gbpi.org/a-flat-tax-is-wrong-for-georgia/

We're disappointed in the partial preliminary injunctions issued by courts in KS and MO that temporarily block student loan borrowers from accessing benefits under the SAVE Plan. Read our full statement here: https://tr.ee/SAVE

"Despite having these resources on hand, the state continues to maintain a record imbalance between revenue generated and appropriations allocated to meet the needs of our residents." Read our statement on this year's report from the Department of Revenue: https://tr.ee/DORstatement

We are joining eight other organizations in eight other states to oppose any legal action that prevents student loan borrowers from accessing
an equitable pathway to loan forgiveness. See our sign-on letter at the link in bio!

We are joining eight other organizations in eight other states to oppose any legal action that prevents student loan borrowers from accessing an equitable pathway to loan forgiveness. See our sign-on letter here: https://bit.ly/45hGvt1

Today we have released a statement on the proposed Farm, Food, and National Security Act. "This legislation would reverse improvements made to SNAP’s Thrifty Food Plan that help families and individuals better afford the growing cost of food." Read more: https://bit.ly/3WZdXSQ

Our newest report from Director of Economic Justice, Ife Finch Floyd, takes great care detailing many barriers Georgians face surrounding child care, like affordability and teacher pay. She also details how Georgia start bridging these problems. Read more:

From Barriers to Bridges: Expanding Access to Child Care and Improving Upward Mobility for Georgia’s Child Care Workers - Georgia Budget and Policy Institute Table of Contents show Executive Summary Introduction Barriers to the current child care system block economic opportunity for women and ECE teachers Barrier: Navigating High Costs and Limited Availability of Quality Child Care Barrier: Women with young children do not work as much as men with young...

Yesterday Gov. Kemp signed the 2025 FY budget. We are excited about some things, like increased student transportation, pre-K and CAPS funding, but wish we were using our $11b in unallocated public funds for the good of GA's people. Full statement here: https://bit.ly/3WEp2Zk

We have added a multitude of resources to GeorgiaPathways.org, including this timeline of the Pathways to Coverage program.

We have added a multitude of resources to GeorgiaPathways.org, including this map that shows the cumulative in the pathways program by county.

GBPI is disappointed by the Governor’s signing of HB 1105 which mandates deeper local cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. HB 1105 is a state mandate without any supportive funding. Read our full statement here:

GBPI's statement on the signing of House Bill 1105 - Georgia Budget and Policy Institute GEORGIA – Governor Brian Kemp’s signing of the controversial House Bill 1105 into law on Wednesday marks a significant shift in the relationship between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Sheriffs in Georgia will now be required to coordinate with federal immigration offi...

We have updated data at GeorgiaPathways.org, including this easily shareable graphic. While Georgia projected 100,000 enrollees by July of this year, they only had 4,392 by the end of March. With 290,000 people in the Coverage Gap, we know that this is ineffective.

Georgia officials again reported decreased net tax collections, though overall, the state's finances appear to be strong. Our Director of Legislative Strategy and Senior Fiscal Analyst Danny Kanso was recently interviewed by The Center Square here:

Georgia sees its tax collections dip again in March (The Center Square) — Georgia officials again reported decreased net tax collections, though overall, the state's finances appear to be strong, according to state numbers and an analyst for a

It's tax day! It may not be everyone's favorite day but it is how we pay for education, social security, roads, parks and more!

"We can no longer ignore the financial benefits from closing the coverage gap; we can no longer ignore the mounting pressure that many communities are feeling as hospitals close and more people fall into the coverage gap." Our Director of Health Justice, Leah Chan, discusses Georgia's coverage gap on PBS News Hour here:

PBS NewsHour | A look at Georgia’s controversial Medicaid expansion program | Season 2024 | PBS What to know about Georgia’s controversial approach to expanding Medicaid

GOOD NEWS: HB 1010 has made it to the Governor's desk to sign. This bill will increase paid parental leave to state and public school employees!

PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEED YOU: Public school funding is being threatened by potential
property tax caps. These caps restrict a school’s ability to educate every Georgia child to their fullest potential. Click below to ask your lawmaker to vote no on bills that cap
property taxes.

Help Public Schools Keep the Ability to Generate Funding Several bills were introduced this year that cap changes in annual property tax assessments. A few that we are still watching include SB 349, HB 581 and HR 1022. These bills and resolutions have made it out of their first chamber and can potentially become law this year. Capping property tax assessm...

NEW from state auditor – After closing the health insurance coverage gap, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities would generate $21 - $60 million in state savings per year on mental health and substance abuse services.